Last weekend, Doha witnessed some high-profile UFC fights, with two of them helping to stir up a hornet’s nest atop two of the most competitive divisions in the world. … These moments. In the welterweight division, Ian Gary defeated Bilal Muhammad, raising his hand as a new contender for the world title in the hands of Islam Makhachev. On the other hand, in the lightweight category, the category headed by Ilya Topuria, Armenian Arman Tsarukyan defeated Dan Hooker in the second round, which was considered a turning point in his favor.
For her part, Ilia Topuria continues without a return date to the cage at the momentas reported on ABC recently, so it is already estimated that until next spring (between March and May) he will not return to the octagon to defend his belt. In this context, Tsarukyan has taken the lead in the running narrative as the next fighter to challenge for Ilya Topuria’s world title. The latter indicated, during the week of fighting in Qatar, that he is clear about his future goals, and does not pass through the Armenians.
“I would love to fight Paddy Pimblett, if they don’t let me go up to welterweight to fight Islam Makhachev. “Because the fight I really want is against Islam in the third division (to win a third world title),” the Georgian-Spaniard told this newspaper. Some words resonated globally and reached the ears of Tsarukyan, who attacked Topuria for not taking him into account. “Could it be more clear that the duck is doing everything he can to avoid fighting me?”The Armenian refers to Topuria as “duck,” a negative nickname that evokes cowardice or fear, wrote the Armenian.
Moreover, in light of this dynamic of searching for a starting point, Tsarukyan, in an interview with Ariel Helwani, condemned that Topuria has not fought since last June, “to prevent a split.” «He’s trying to find easy fights, defend that belt and move up, The UFC is trying to make him a star and defend the title. Because right now he can’t get to 170 pounds because he hasn’t defended it. You have to prove that you are a real heroWhatever the case, the mystery of what it will mean for the UFC to hold the first four numbered events of 2026 still needs to be resolved,” Tsarukyan said.